Senate Opening

The Senate is convened.

Opening Remarks

 
Senator Reid: (9:33 AM)

·         Today--

o    We will be in a period of morning business.

o    We will have a classified briefing for Senators only.

·         Spoke on plans for this session.

o    SUMMARY "there is no reason for congress to wait until january to do some things that'll help the economy. we know that before the senate is a comprehensive stimulus plan. i will be discussing ways of proceeding on that or not proceeding on that with my friend the republican leader"

o    SUMMARY "i hope that we can pass legislation to aid the auto industry this next day or two. if we can't do it here legislatively, i would hope that the secretary of treasury would listen loud and clear"

 
Senator McConnell: (9:35 AM)

·         Spoke on an auto bailout.

o    SUMMARY "we're all aware that one reason congress is back in session this week is to address the crisis in the auto industry. though our friends on the other side have been talking about this issue with increasing frequency, they've yet to indicate how they plan to move forward."

o    SUMMARY "a compromise being worked on by senators voinovich and bond which reproposes funds already appropriated -- money we've already appropriated -- to fund a $25 billion loan program for automakers to build advanced technology vehicles coupled with new taxpayer protections and federal oversight of how the money is spent. this is a proposal which i believe has support from both sides of the aisle and that actually has the potential to pass right now, not next year."

Morning Business

 
Senator Casey: (10:47 AM)

·         Spoke in honor of Dr. Randy Pausch.

 
Senator Collins: (10:52 AM)

·         Spoke in honor of departing Senators.

 
Senator Murray: (11:38 AM)

·         Spoke on an economic stimulus.

o    SUMMARY "this week senators byrd and our majority leader, senator reid, proposed an economic stimulus bill that will do just that. their bill is targeted at the biggest needs in our country today. it will create more than 635,000 jobs by investing in infrastructure and green energy development. and it would help our most vulnerable citizens put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. mr. president, congress can make a real difference for millions of families across our country. if there was a mandate given on november 4, it was for government to work for the people once again."

Morning Business

 
Senator Durbin: (1:02 PM)

·         Spoke in honor of Studs Terkel.

 
Senator Schumer: (1:45 PM)

·         Spoke on an economic stimulus package.

o    SUMMARY "the question before us are: what are we as stewards of the public trust going to do? i believe the answer is clear. the federal government should, it must provide an economic stimulus to main street as we have to wall street. it must be significant and substantial, and it must be targeted at our most pressing needs."

 
Senator Barrasso: (2:18 PM)

·         Spoke on medicare mismanagement.

o    SUMMARY "i understand that the government is trying to prevent drug stockpiling, but this rigid program requirement, mr. president, does not give doctors the flexibility that they need to practice medicine. this is especially true in emergency situations. so who's liable when a patient comes to the doctor's office needing immediate treatment but the doctor can't help because he has to call the government to send the medicine in the first place, even if he has a supply on hand for another patient? the program's current design has turned out to be a bureaucratic nightmare."

The Senate stands in recess until 4:00 PM.